The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and relevant links.

Anthelion and Anthelic Arcs

The photo above shows the rarely photographed and seldom observed anthelion and anthelic arcs -- taken from Görlitz, Germany on February 25, 2006. The anthelion or counter-sun is a somewhat spherical patch of light about 1-2 degrees across. It's found at the anthelion point, which is the spot on the opposite horizon from the Sun having the same altitude of the Sun. If you look closely, you can detect two faint arcs above the patch (anthelic arc) that appear to converge upon it. Sightings of the anthelion are typically at the intersection of anthelic arcs, and though a number of possible crystals shapes and orientations can evidently form these colorless spots, they're among the least frequently seen of all the halo phenomena.